Bargain computer building +edit now power system

[demha94]

I have never built a computer before but it seems that there is enough information out there that i or anyone can learn! The reason I have decided to build my own computer is

1) have fun 2) save money.

I ambasically in no rush so my strategy will be too get the most bang for the buck so I will wait for the ripest deal then pluck it!. I want an excellent system for between 500 - 1000 dollars. After that I intend on doing that whole overclocking bit, don't know anything about that either!

I researched the components last night and this is what i have come up with (I decided to go with an amd chip because it appeals to me more). I would love some suggestions on these components and or their prices.

MOTHERBOARD: ASUS A7N8X nvidia nforce 2 ultra 400 fsb 8x agp selling for **124.99** at newegg free shipping
also selling for **120.82** at ebuyer free shipping
i went with this becaus the reviews everywhere were very good and its a good for "overclocking" according to what i read
it seems like a good mb, i don't know if these support the new athlon 64 though, just in case i want to upgrade

CHIP: amd athlon xp 2500+ **$90 **at newegg.com free shipping
i have read people that oc this to 3200, there are different variations though, i don't know what the plus is for.

HARDDRIVE: WD 200 8MB Cache Drive $222 at dell with 2 $100 rebates for a final price of **22**
should go through with a little slickness

RAM: kingston kvr333x64 c25/512 512 **$80** at newegg
good deal or not?

VIDEO CARD: radeon 9600 pro 128 mb **$148** shipped from newegg
i don't know anything at all about video cards, but i do want something good and not that pricey, that supports tv, i also don't want to get something i don't need. i intend on browsing the net, maybe downloading a few good games, playing dvds....

SOUND CARD creative lab sound blaster audigy 2 64 bit **$72** from newegg, its the OEM version, which i think means its new but without a box.
is this too much, i wouldn't mind saving some money if its too top of the line

CASE: antec sonata midcase **99** from amazon.com shipped
i like this case because it is supposedly quiet. but i don't know if that is too low of a power supply and if the cooling will be a problem. i don't know how to add another fan in the font, as other peole sugeested on other threads, or if that is possible. if there are cases out there with clear side window, that have a stronger power supply (don't know what i need that for though), oh and have that neat tempurature gauge and a good heat control system, i would love to know about it.


all this come out to about **$633** a similar system bought from cyberpower would cost 855 + 60 shipping an handling. I would save about **$282**. i would still need a mouse and keyboard, though. I am also in the market for a 19 or 21 inch monitor, but in no hurry

so any suggestions would be appreciated. as i said before, my intention is to overclock this to perform like a top of the line system. i guess with the new amd 64 chip, maybe these chips/moptherboard will go down even more in the near future.
ok nuff said.......
PS
hope i posted in the right place!! also i got alot of the bargains from ben' bargains and anandtech hot deals forum


EDIT: 1 month later, bargain pc turned power house system system

I have deviated greatly from these plans it seems. I have went from i have went from an amd to a pentium.
this is my new born system;

p4 2.4 800 mhz and asus p4c800-e deluxe motherboard **$367 from nj computer show
samsung 1 gig ram, p3500 with heat spreaders **$218 from show
wd 200 g hard drive **$24 AR from dell
antec sonata case **$91 AC from office depot
allin wonder 9800 pro **$378 APM/AC staples (had a cheasy coupon, if i had a 50 off,
this wouuld be alot sweeter
mitsumi 7 in 1 floppy **$40 from xpcgear
21 inch flat screen crt trinitron monitor .21 dot **$155 from show, refurbished w/ 1 yr replacement warranty
altec lansing 6 pc 90 wat speakers **$40 AR from circuit cit
logitech cordless mx duo **$45 APM/Coupon with a bunch of FAR items from office max

only thing i regret is should have gotten the 2.6 or 2.8 for, so if anybody wants a 2.4 one let me know....oh and extreme o/c is way too expensive it seems....just get the better processor. if you're going to o/c, you can do a 10% w/ no problems and no cost. this mb makes it very easy to o/c btw. also, you don't need to get a sound card
total cost of system is *****$1358****
still need a cd-rw and dvd-rw though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
very satisfied with everything thus far thanks for all that helped. if anybody has any questions let me know

 

[silentak]

You might want to go with (2) 256mb RAM sticks instead of (1) 512mb. More stability i hear...

other than that, good choices on the rest of the products. Good solid gaming system!

I see that you have done extensive price researching...good job on that too

 

[demha94]

would i be able to upgrade to a 1024 later on if i get the 256 sticks?

 

[silentak]

ASUS A7N8X has 3 memory slots

dimm 1 256mb
dimm 2 256mb
dimm 3 you can add 512mb for 1gb total

so yes

 

[demha94]

excellent! thanks for your help...

i purchased the case already from amazon for 99; they have it in stock and its already a good deal.

i also purchsed the harddrive from dell, a 200 gig western digital for 220 plus a $100 rebate and a possible other 100 rebate. so i can potentially get it for 20 dollars!! if both rebates go through.

they have some good deals out their if you look hard enough.
thanks one again.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: demha94
excellent! thanks for your help...

i purchased the case already from amazon for 99; they have it in stock and its already a good deal.

i also purchsed the harddrive from dell, a 200 gig western digital for 220 plus a $100 rebate and a possible other 100 rebate. so i can potentially get it for 20 dollars!! if both rebates go through.

they have some good deals out their if you look hard enough.
thanks one again.

Plus thats is an nforce 2 motherboard, so you get a performance boost by using 2 sticks of ram instead of one.

VT600 if you plan on using just one stick for optimal performance.

 

[demha94]

2 sticks it is!

the only fear i have is am i choosing the right brand and or will there be any compatibility issues. its twice as hard to return things online and it takes 10 times as long.!

 

[gaidin123]

Newegg is overall a great online retailer. Their RMA process is very painless compared to some other stores in my opinion. As for RAM, your chip by default uses DDR333 or PC2700 (same thing) memory. If you plan on overclocking you should read up on it for AMD chips. You have a couple options and the most common one is to increase the FSB. In general, to get the most performance out of your system you will want to run the memory in sync (ie 1:1 ratio) with the FSB.

If you do that, you will want to buy quality RAM that can hit the highest FSB that your CPU and rest of the system can handle. I would probably pick up a pair of name brand PC3200 256MB CAS2 sticks. I like Corsair and have had great luck with their RAM for years but their stuff does carry a price premium. Other RAM brands of RAM are fine, just figure out how much you will want to push your system from its default 166Mhz FSB and buy accordingly.

You got very lucky on that hard drive deal if you got in in time! Also, the 9600 Pro seems to fit with exactly what you want right now. It plays all games pretty well currently and should still run them ok for a while, and it's affordable.

Good luck! Please let us know how that Sonata case is (or anyone else who has one for that matter).

Gaidin

 

[cainsdive]

Just got a samsung 19" 955df from newegg and loving it!!! $209 (+tax for me -CA) free ship. God I love newegg!!! I buy most of my gear through them.:beer: